Site model selection for a wireless access point

ABSTRACT

Techniques are provided for placing wireless access points on a site model. An indication of a newly detected wireless access point is received. Perceived signal strengths are received from the newly detected wireless access point or located wireless access points. A site model is selected based on the received perceived signal strengths. The newly detected wireless access point is placed on the selected site model.

BACKGROUND

Modern computer networks contain many different elements. In addition toserver and client computers, there are many different devices, such asrouters, switches, wireless access points, firewalls, securityappliances, storage appliances, and many other types of devices. All ofthese devices may require administration and maintenance. Typically,each of these devices may provide a user interface that allows for anynecessary configuration of the device.

However, as networks increase in size and in geographic span, it becomesincreasingly difficult to manage each device using its own configurationinterface. For example, a corporate network may contain devices thatspan the globe. It becomes increasingly difficult to manage the devicesindividually because keeping track of how to access the configurationinterface of each device becomes more complicated as the number ofdevices increase.

To alleviate this problem, network management software has been created.The network management software may run on a computer and is configuredto access each of the devices on the network. In addition, the networkmanagement software may keep track of where a device is physicallylocated. For small networks, such information is not vital, however, forlarge, geographically diverse networks, simply discovering where on theglobe a particular device is can be a difficult task, absent networkmanagement software.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example of a high level network diagram.

FIG. 2 is an example of physically locating a wireless access point.

FIG. 3 is an example of a high level flow diagram for selecting a sitemodel.

FIG. 4 is an example of a high level flow diagram for placing a wirelessaccess point.

FIG. 5 is an example of a high level flow diagram for selecting a sitemodel.

FIG. 6 is an example of a high level flow diagram for placing a wirelessaccess point.

FIG. 7 is an example of a high level flow diagram for selecting a sitemodel.

FIG. 8 is an example of a high level flow diagram for placing a wirelessaccess point.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As was mentioned above, modern computer networks may be extremelycomplex, with many different devices and spanning many differentgeographic regions. Network management software may be used as a centrallocation for network management activities, such as noting the physicallocation of devices and configuring those devices. However, a problemmay arise when a new device is added to the network. If the networkmanagement software is not updated to reflect the presence of the newdevice, the ability to locate and manage the device is somewhat limited.

For some devices, there is nothing that can be done to aid in locatingthe device absent manual user intervention to specify the location ofthe device. However, other classes of devices may have capabilities thatwould aid the network management software in locating where the deviceis physically installed. One such class of device is a wireless accesspoint (WAP). A WAP is a device that allows client computers and serversto connect to the network wirelessly, via radio frequency (RF)communications. In addition to enabling client and server connectivity,a WAP has the ability to receive RF communications from other WAPs andreport the perceived RF signal strength to the network managementsoftware.

The techniques described herein make use of the ability of a WAP toreceive and measure the strength of RF communications to aid in locatinga newly detected WAP and place the newly detected WAP in the properphysical location within the network management software's view of thenetwork. In one example embodiment, one or more WAPs that already existwithin the knowledge of the network management software report thereceived signal strength of the newly detected WAP. Based on thisinformation, the network management software may be able to determinethe physical location of the newly installed WAP.

In another example embodiment, the newly detected WAP may report thesignal strengths received from one or more previously existing WAPs.Based on this information, the network management software may be ableto determine the physical location of the newly detected WAP. In someembodiments, the network management software is able to locate the newlydetected WAP to a coarse degree, such as a city, a building, or a floorof a building. In some embodiments, a finer level of location, such as aspecific location, on a specific floor, of a specific building may beachieved.

FIG. 1 is an example of a high level network diagram. The example system100 shown in FIG. 1 may manage network devices that span the globe. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 1, the network 105 may include sites inseveral cities, such as London 110, Chicago 120, and Paris 130. Each ofthese cities may contain several locations. As shown in the example, inLondon 110, there may be two different buildings, such as building one111 and building two 112. Furthermore, within a single building, theremay be multiple floors. As shown in the example network diagram,building two 112 in London 110 may contain multiple floors. Each ofthese floors may be associated with a site model. For example, the firstfloor may be associated with site model 113, while the second floor isassociated with site model 114. Site models will be described in furtherdetail below. It should be understood that the system described hereinis merely an example of a possible network. The techniques describedherein are not limited to any particular geographic distribution.

A site model may be the network management software's view of thedevices located at a particular site. For example, site model 113 may bea depiction of the first floor of building two in London. The site modelmay contain the physical locations of the various devices as well as thephysical layout of the site. As shown in site model 113, the first floormay comprise several rooms, with desks and tables situated therein. Thesite model may also contain the physical locations of the devicesconnected to the network. For purposes of ease of description, only theWAPs are shown. As shown, there are three WAPs (A 115, B 116, and C 117)on site model 113. The location of these WAPs on the site modelrepresents the physical location of the device in the real world.Similarly, site model 114 represents the second floor of building two.Site model 114 contains two WAPs (D 118 and E 119).

In some embodiments, a system administrator may manually place a newlydetected WAP on the site model in the proper location. In otherembodiments, the system will automatically place the WAP, which will bedescribed in further detail below. For purposes of this description, aWAP that has already been placed on a site model is referred to as alocated WAP. This means that the WAP has already been placed in theproper location on the site model within the network managementsoftware, such that the software knows the physical location of thedevice. A WAP that has not yet been placed on a site model is referredto as a newly detected WAP. The process of transforming a newly detectedWAP to a located WAP is described in further detail below.

System 100 may also include a network management computer 140. Thenetwork management computer may be used to run network managementsoftware that is in turn used to manage the devices connected to network105. Although the network management computer is shown as a standalonecomputer, it should be understood that the network management softwaremay be run on any computer connected to the network and is not limitedto a single computer. The network management computer may be used toprovide many types of configuration and management functions for devicesstored on the network. For purposes of this disclosure, only theplacement of WAPs on site model will be described, however it should beunderstood that the capabilities of the network management software mayextend much further than WAP placement.

The network management computer 140 may comprise a processor 141. Theprocessor may be coupled to a non-transitory computer readable medium142 that stores instructions thereon. If the instructions stored on thenon-transitory computer readable medium are executed by the processor,the functionality described herein may be implemented. For example, thenon-transitory computer readable medium may contain instructions forreceiving perceived signal strengths 143 from wireless access points,instructions for selecting site models 144, and instructions for placingwireless access points 145. The functionality provided by theseinstructions is described in further detail below and in conjunctionwith FIGS. 3-8.

In operation, a new WAP 150 may be installed. Because the networkmanagement software initially has no knowledge of where the newlyinstalled WAP has been installed, the WAP is a newly detected WAP. Usingconventional WAP configuration parameters, the network managementsoftware may configure the newly detected WAP. The newly detected WAPmay then provide wireless connectivity to devices within the range ofthe newly detected WAP.

In one example embodiment, the newly detected WAP may “see” the wirelesssignals that are being emitted by WAPs that have already been located.For purposes of this description “seeing” a wireless signal from a WAPmeans that the wireless radio frequency signal is received by the WAPand the perceived signal strength of the received wireless signal can bemeasured. The newly detected WAP may report the signals that it can seefrom already located WAPs. As would be known by a person of skill in theart, a typical WAP may have a range of several hundred feet. A typicalWAPs range does not extend to covering wide geographic areas.

The network management computer may receive the reports from the newlydetected WAP to determine on which site model the newly detected WAPshould be placed. For example, if newly detected WAP 150 is able to seesome or all of the located WAPs 115-119, then it is most likely the casethat the newly detected WAP was installed somewhere in building two 112in London 110.

To further aid in placement of the newly detected WAP onto a site model,the specific located WAPs that are seen by the newly detected WAP may beanalyzed. For example, if the newly detected WAP is only able to seeWAPs 115-117, the newly detected WAP may most likely be located on thefirst floor 113. Likewise, if only located WAPs 118-119 are seen, thenthe newly detected WAP is most likely located on the second floor 114.The appropriate site model may be chosen by the network managementsoftware and presented to the user. The user may then choose to acceptthe selection of the site model and the newly detected WAP may begenerally associated with the selected site model. In some embodiments,the newly detected WAP is placed on the site model without a specificlocation. However, in other embodiments, the newly detected WAP may beplaced in a specific location on the site model. The process ofspecifically locating the newly detected WAP is described in furtherdetail with respect to FIG. 2.

In some cases, a newly detected WAP may be able to see located WAPs thatare contained in different site models. For example, the newly detectedWAP may have been installed on the first floor 113 in such a way that,due to the nature of RF communications, located WAPs from both the firstand second floor are seen. For example, a newly detected WAP may be ableto see WAPs 115, 116, and 118 (i.e. two on the first floor and one onthe second). In such cases, the network management software may orderthe list of site models based on the number of WAPs that can be seen oneach site model. In this example, because two WAPs located on the firstfloor are seen, but only one WAP on the second floor is seen, the firstfloor may be placed higher in order than the second floor. The sitemodel with the highest number of located WAPs that are seen may then bechosen.

In some cases, the newly detected WAP may see the same number of locatedWAPs from different site models. For example, the newly detected WAP maysee located WAPs 115 and 118 (i.e. one from the first floor and one fromthe second floor). In such a case, the perceived signal strengths of thesignals from the located WAPs may be used to settle such a “tie”. Forexample, in the case of two WAPs, each located on different site models,the WAP with the highest signal strength may be selected. If there aremultiple WAPs with the same reported signal strength, the process may beiterated. For example, if there are two WAPs each from two differentsite models, the two WAPs with the highest signal strength from eachmodel may be compared. If there happens to be a tie, the next twohighest signal strengths may be compared. This process may be repeatedfor each pair of reported signal strengths, and the highest site modelcontaining the highest signal strength may be selected.

The above description has been presented in terms of the newly locatedWAP seeing already located WAPs. In another exemplary embodiment, asimilar process may occur, although rather than the newly detected WAPreporting which located WAPs are seen, the located WAPs report the newlydetected WAP. For example, a newly located WAP may be placed on thefirst floor 113. The newly detected WAP may be seen by the located WAPs115-119 and this fact may be reported to the network managementsoftware. Just as above, the network management software may determinethe site model with the greatest number of located WAPs that reportseeing the newly detected WAP.

Also, just as above, if there is a tie between the number of locatedWAPs that can see the newly detected WAP, the signal strengths of thenewly detected WAP that is received by the located WAPs can be compared.Again, the site model containing highest signal strength may beselected. Also, just as above, if there are equal numbers of locatedWAPs on each site model that can see the newly detected WAP, then thehighest signal strengths received can be compared. If there is a tie,the next highest set of signal strengths can be compared.

The description above was presented in terms of two site models that aredetecting a newly located WAP. However, this was for purposes of ease ofdescription and is not limiting. It should be understood that WAPs onany number of different site models may report other WAPs that are seen.For example, the building 112 described in FIG. 1 may have any number offloors. Any WAP on any site model that is able to see or be seen by anewly detected WAP may report this fact to the network managementsoftware. The software then may rank the site models based on the numberof WAPs seen from each site model and the signal strengths, as describedabove.

Furthermore, it should be understood that both embodiments describedabove may be used simultaneously. For example, a first site model may beselected based on the located WAPs that can see the newly detected WAP.A second site model may be selected based on the located WAPs that canbe seen by the newly detected WAP. The two site models may then bepresented to the user to receive the final selection of a site model onwhich to place the newly detected WAP.

FIG. 2 is an example of physically locating a wireless access point.FIG. 2 is a reproduction of the first floor 113 shown in FIG. 1, withonly the structure of the floor shown for ease of depiction. In thedescription presented above with respect to FIG. 1, the networkmanagement software may determine a particular site model on which anewly detected WAP should be placed based on the located WAPs that caneither see or be seen by the newly detected WAP. In many cases,selection of the proper site model is sufficient, without placing thenewly detected WAP in the correct physical location on the site model.However, in some example embodiments, the network management softwaremay go a step further and place the newly detected WAP in a physicallocation on the site model based on the signal strengths received.

The network management software may contain a RF propagation model foreach site model. The RF propagation model may use known techniques topredict the propagation of RF signals within a site model, given anyknown obstructions or other properties of the site model. Some examplesof such obstructions and properties can include walls, furniture, thetypes building materials used, or any other factors that may affect thetransmission of RF signals. Based on these propagation models, thenetwork management software may be able to determine the locations on asite model where a particular signal strength may be received.

For example, assume that newly detected WAP 250 is located somewherewithin the site model depicted in FIG. 2. Also assume that located WAP215 is able to see the newly detected WAP 250 and is able to report thereceived signal strength. Based on the propagation model, the networkmanagement software may determine the locations in the site model wherethe newly detected WAP may be given the signal strength being reportedby WAP 215. As shown in FIG. 2, line 205 may represent the possiblelocations of the newly detected WAP based on the signal strengthreceived by WAP 215. Likewise, line 206 represents the possiblelocations of the newly detected WAP based on the signal strengthreceived by located WAP 216 and line 207 represents the possiblelocations of the newly detected WAP based on the signal strengthreceived by located WAP 217.

By determining the point where lines 205-207 intersect, the networkmanagement software is able to determine where on the site model thenewly located WAP is physically located. As should be clear, the greaterthe number of located WAPs reporting signal strength, the more accuratethe placement may be.

Placement of the newly located WAP may also be based on the signalstrength received by the newly detected WAP from the located WAPs.Although not shown, the process is very similar. The newly detected WAPmay report the signal strength received from one or more of the locatedWAPs. By using the propagation model, the network management softwaremay determine where on the site model the newly detected WAP is locatedby determining the locations on the site model where it is expected thatthe signal strength received by the newly detected WAP matches thesignal strength being reported. Again, just as in the case where thelocated WAPs report the received signal strengths, the greater thenumber of located WAPs seen by the newly detected WAP, the greater theaccuracy in placing the newly detected WAP.

By selecting the site model first, a more accurate placement of thenewly detected WAP may be achieved. Although it would be possible totriangulate the position of the newly detected WAP based on receivedsignal strengths of all WAPs (including those not on the same sitemodel) such location would be less accurate. For example, if WAPs onboth the first and second floor were used to located the newly detectedWAP, such location may result in the WAP being placed in the middle oftwo floors based on the signal strengths, which is not physicallypossible. By restricting the WAPs used in the location process to thosethat are contained in the same site model, a better placement of thenewly detected WAP may be achieved.

FIG. 3 is an example of a high level flow diagram for selecting a sitemodel. In block 310 an indication of a newly detected wireless accesspoint may be received at a management computer. For example, this mayoccur when the newly detected WAP is connected to the network andreports its presence to the network management software. At block 320,the perceived signal strength of the newly detected WAP may be receivedfrom at least one located WAP. As explained above, each located WAP mayreport the signal strength of the newly detected WAP to the networkmanagement computer.

At block 330, a site model may be selected based on the site model thatincludes the at least one located WAP. As previously explained, thelocated WAPs may report the signal strengths of the newly detected WAP.The network management software may select a site model that includes atleast one of the located WAPs that is reporting a signal strength of thenewly detected WAP.

FIG. 4 is an example of a high level flow diagram for placing a wirelessaccess point. In block 410 an indication of a newly detected wirelessaccess point may be received at a management computer. As above, thismay occur when the newly detected WAP reports its presence on thenetwork. At block 420, the perceived signal strength of the newlydetected WAP may be received from at least one located WAP. Again, asabove, a located WAP may report the received signal strength to thenetwork management computer.

In block 430, the site models may be ordered based on a number oflocated WAPs within each site model that sent perceived signalstrengths. For example, the site models may be ordered based on thenumber of located WAPs within each site model that report seeing thenewly detected WAP. Ordering may also include ordering based on theperceived signal strength received. In block 440, the highest orderedsite model may be selected by the network management software. In someembodiments, this selection is automatically used by the networkmanagement software. In other embodiments the user is given anopportunity to confirm the selection made. In block 450, the selectedsite model is presented to the user. In block 460, confirmation of theselected site model is received from the user.

In block 470, the newly detected WAP is included in the selected sitemodel. In some embodiments, the newly detected WAP is included in theselected site model, but is not automatically placed at a physicallocation within the site model. In other embodiments, the newly detectedWAP is automatically placed. In block 480, the newly detected WAP isplaced in the site model at the determined location based on theperceived signal strengths.

FIG. 5 is an example of a high level flow diagram for selecting a sitemodel. In block 510 an indication of a newly detected wireless accesspoint may be received at a management computer. For example, this mayoccur when the newly detected WAP is connected to the network andreports its presence to the network management software. At block 520,the perceived signal strength of at least one located WAP may bereceived from the newly detected WAP. As explained above, the newlydetected WAP may report the signal strength of the located WAPs that itcan see to the network management computer.

At block 530, a site model may be selected based on the site model thatincludes the at least one located WAP. As previously explained, thenewly detected WAP may report the signal strengths of the located WAPsthat it can see. The network management software may select a site modelthat includes at least one of the located WAPs for which the newlydetected WAP is reporting a signal strength.

FIG. 6 is an example of a high level flow diagram for placing a wirelessaccess point. In block 610 an indication of a newly detected wirelessaccess point may be received at a management computer. As above, thismay occur when the newly detected WAP reports its presence on thenetwork. At block 620, the perceived signal strength of at least onelocated WAP may be received from the newly detected WAP. Again, asabove, a newly detected WAP may report the received signal strengths oflocated WAPs that can be seen to the network management computer.

In block 630, the site models may be ordered based on a number oflocated WAPs within each site model for which perceived signal strengthswere received. For example, the site models may be ordered based on thenumber of located WAPs within each site model that were reported asbeing seen by the newly detected WAP. Ordering may also include orderingbased on the perceived signal strength received. In block 640, thehighest ordered site model may be selected by the network managementsoftware. In some embodiments, this selection is automatically used bythe network management software. In other embodiments the user is givenan opportunity to confirm the selection made. In block 650, the selectedsite model is presented to the user. In block 660, confirmation of theselected site model is received from the user.

In block 670, the newly detected WAP is included in the selected sitemodel. In some embodiments, the newly detected WAP is included in theselected site model, but is not automatically placed at a physicallocation within the site model. In other embodiments, the newly detectedWAP is automatically placed. In block 680, the newly detected WAP isplaced in the site model at the determined location based on theperceived signal strengths.

FIG. 7 is an example of a high level flow diagram for selecting a sitemodel. In block 710 an indication of a newly detected wireless accesspoint is received. In block 720, at least on perceived signal strengthis received. In block 730 a site model is selected for the newlydetected wireless access point based on the perceived signal strength.

FIG. 8 is an example of a high level flow diagram for placing a wirelessaccess point. In block 810 an indication of a newly detected wirelessaccess point is received. In block 820, at least on perceived signalstrength is received. In block 830, site models are ordered based on thenumber of received perceived signal strengths. In block 840 a first sitemodel containing the greatest number of received perceived signalstrengths from located wireless access points is selected. In block 850,a second site model containing the greatest number of perceived signalstrengths from the newly detected wireless access point is selected.

In block 860, the user may be presented with the first and second sitemodels. In block 870, a selection of the first or second site model maybe received from the user. In block 880, the newly detected wirelessaccess point may be placed on the selected site model based on thereceived perceived signal strengths.

We claim:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, at a management computer,an indication of an unknown wireless access point that is newly detectedin a wireless local area network; receiving, at the management computer,from the unknown wireless access point a report comprising a pluralityof signal strengths associated with wireless signals received by theunknown access point from a plurality of access points with knownlocations on a particular site model, wherein the particular site modelrepresents a view of the plurality of access points at a particular siteand comprises physical locations of the plurality of access points and aphysical layout of the particular site; selecting, by the managementcomputer, the particular site model from a plurality of site modelsbased on the plurality of access points from which the wireless signalsin the report are received by the unknown wireless access point;presenting, by the management computer, the selected particular sitemodel to an administrative user of the unknown wireless access point;and placing, by the management computer, the unknown wireless accesspoint on the selected particular site model in response to theadministrative user accepting the presented particular site model. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, at the managementcomputer, a plurality of reports from a plurality of access points withknown locations, the plurality of reports including a plurality ofsignal strengths associated with wireless signals transmitted by theunknown wireless access point and received by the plurality of accesspoints on a second site model that is different from the particular sitemodel.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: selecting, by themanagement computer, the second site model from the plurality of sitemodels based on the plurality of access points that transmit theplurality of reports indicating the signal strengths associated with thewireless signals transmitted by the unknown wireless access.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, further comprising: presenting both the particularsite model and the second site model to the administrative user;receiving a selection from the administrative user; and placing theunknown access point on one of the particular site model and the secondsite model based on the selection received from the administrative user.5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: selecting, from theplurality of site models, a third site model associated with a highestcount of located wireless access points that had signal strengthsincluded in the report.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:causing display of information about the third site model along with thedisplay of the particular site model and the second site model;receiving a selection from the administrative user for one of theparticular, the second, or the third selected site model; and responsiveto receiving the selection from the administrative user, placing thenewly detected wireless access point in the selected site model.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: including the newly detectedwireless access point in the particular site model based on measuredsignal strengths in the report.
 8. A network device comprising: amemory; a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processorexecutes instructions stored in the memory to: receive an indication ofan unknown wireless access point that is newly detected in a wirelesslocal area network; receive from the unknown wireless access point areport comprising a plurality of signal strengths associated withwireless signals received by the unknown access point from a pluralityof access points with known locations on a particular site model,wherein the particular site model represents a view of the plurality ofaccess points at a particular site and comprises physical locations ofthe plurality of access points and a physical layout of the particularsite; select the particular site model from a plurality of site modelsbased on the plurality of access points from which the wireless signalsin the report are received by the unknown wireless access point; presentthe selected particular site model to an administrative user of theunknown wireless access point; and place the unknown wireless accesspoint on the selected particular site model in response to theadministrative user accepting the presented particular site model. 9.The network device of claim 8, wherein the processor further executesthe instructions stored in the memory to: receive a plurality of reportsfrom a plurality of access points with known locations, the plurality ofreports including a plurality of signal strengths associated withwireless signals transmitted by the unknown wireless access point andreceived by the plurality of access points on a second site model thatis different from the particular site model.
 10. The network device ofclaim 9, wherein the processor further executes the instructions storedin the memory to: select the second site model from the plurality ofsite models based on the plurality of access points that transmit theplurality of reports indicating the signal strengths associated with thewireless signals transmitted by the unknown wireless access.
 11. Thenetwork device of claim 10, wherein the processor further executes theinstructions stored in the memory to: present both the particular sitemodel and the second site model to the administrative user; receive aselection from the administrative user; and place the unknown accesspoint on one of the particular site model and the second site modelbased on the selection received from the administrative user.
 12. Thenetwork device of claim 8, wherein the processor further executes theinstructions stored in the memory to: select, from the plurality of sitemodels, a third site model associated with a highest count of locatedwireless access points that had signal strengths included in the report.13. The network device of claim 12, wherein the processor furtherexecutes the instructions stored in the memory to: cause display ofinformation about the third site model along with the display of theparticular site model and the second site model; receive a selectionfrom the administrative user for one of the particular, the second, orthe third selected site model; and responsive to receiving the selectionfrom the administrative user, place the newly detected wireless accesspoint in the selected site model.
 14. The network device of claim 8,wherein the processor further executes the instructions stored in thememory to: include the newly detected wireless access point in theparticular site model based on measured signal strengths in the report.15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprisinginstructions which, when executed by at least one hardware processor ofa network device, cause performance of operations comprising: receivingan indication of an unknown wireless access point that is newly detectedin a wireless local area network; receiving from the unknown wirelessaccess point a report comprising a plurality of signal strengthsassociated with wireless signals received by the unknown access pointfrom a plurality of access points with known locations on a particularsite model, wherein the particular site model represents a view of theplurality of access points at a particular site and comprises physicallocations of the plurality of access points and a physical layout of theparticular site; selecting the particular site model from a plurality ofsite models based on the plurality of access points from which thewireless signals in the report are received by the unknown wirelessaccess point; presenting the selected particular site model to anadministrative user of the unknown wireless access point; and placingthe unknown wireless access point on the selected particular site modelin response to the administrative user accepting the presentedparticular site model.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving aplurality of reports from a plurality of access points with knownlocations, the plurality of reports including a plurality of signalstrengths associated with wireless signals transmitted by the unknownwireless access point and received by the plurality of access points ona second site model that is different from the particular site model;selecting the second site model from the plurality of site models basedon the plurality of access points that transmit the plurality of reportsindicating the signal strengths associated with the wireless signalstransmitted by the unknown wireless access.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: presenting both the particular site model and thesecond site model to the administrative user; receiving a selection fromthe administrative user; and placing the unknown access point on one ofthe particular site model and the second site model based on theselection received from the administrative user.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: selecting, from the plurality of site models, a thirdsite model associated with a highest count of located wireless accesspoints that had signal strengths included in the report.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein theoperations further comprise: causing display of information about thethird site model along with the display of the particular site model andthe second site model; receiving a selection from the administrativeuser for one of the particular, the second, or the third selected sitemodel; and responsive to receiving the selection from the administrativeuser, placing the newly detected wireless access point in the selectedsite model.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 8, wherein placing the newly detected wireless access point in theselected site model is based on measured signal strengths in thereports.